FCNL is holding everyone impacted and threatened by the escalating violence in the Middle East in the light. This is a frightening and volatile moment — and one that demands restraint, reflection, and humanity.
War is never the answer. And more war won’t benefit anyone. It will only make all sides less, not more secure, and inflict a terrible human toll.
We condemn Iran’s missile strikes on Israel on October 1 and call for restraint, urgent de-escalation from all sides, and a permanent ceasefire across the region. We also condemn Israel’s ongoing war in Lebanon, including its recent ground invasion and airstrikes that have killed more than 1,000 people in just the past week.
The U.S. must lead with diplomacy and center the humanity of all people whose lives are under threat.
We never should have got to this moment. For many months, it’s been clear that a permanent ceasefire is needed to end the Gaza war, bring all the hostages home, and stop this devastating cycle of regional violence.
Yet, U.S. leaders have failed to use the leverage necessary to secure peace, continuing to provide the weapons and military support that have enabled Israel to continue its brutal war in Gaza while escalating attacks throughout the region with impunity.
Now, our leaders must choose a different path toward peace. So many lives are at stake. We need urgent action to secure a ceasefire across the region and prevent more senseless death, destruction, and suffering.
In the days ahead, we implore members of Congress to refrain from any inflammatory actions or statements that will further raise tensions and increase the threat of catastrophic regional war. Instead, U.S. policymakers must lead with diplomacy and center the humanity of all people whose lives are under threat — whether Palestinian, Lebanese, Israeli, or Iranian.
More escalation also poses a serious threat to tens of thousands of U.S. servicemembers in the region. Americans do not want to be embroiled in another endless regional war in the Middle East. U.S. policymakers must not put more Americans’ lives at risk by taking military action against Iran, which has not been authorized by Congress and would only further fuel this already devastating violence.